Testimonials
Before joining Crossfit Firebase, I considered myself an active person. I play a lot of golf, joined softball leagues, etc. I belonged to a commercial gym working out weekly and running at home. With this regiment, I did see results. My starting weight was about 240 pounds and in 10 or 11 months, I was down to about 200. After that, I didn’t seem to make progress. I knew the key to getting over that “hump” was a different routine. I was bored with the routine of going to the gym and slowly stopped working out entirely. Within a year, my weight was back up to 228. I turned 41 and knew it was going to get harder to achieve my desired fitness level. I needed a change. A friend of mine recommended what he called “boot camp”. Over the next couple months of playing golf together, I witnessed a dramatic change in his weight and shape. I thought he must be going 5 times a week to achieve those results. After asking him about it, he said he was only going twice a week. He told me the fitness plan also included a diet change, which I knew was important due to my age and my family’s weight related health issues. I called and talked to Raquel about “boot camp”. I was not sure what I was in for, but I had to give it a shot. I had the first of 3 Foundation sessions with Jason. It went very well, but I was unsure what was coming. While being trained, I observed the “WOD” (workout of the day) and became concerned I would not be able to keep up and would make a total idiot out of myself. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was blown away by my first workout. It was the most intense workout I have had and from that moment, I was hooked. Crossfit Firebase is staffed and owned by incredibly personable and supportive people. I have to start with Raquel. She was the first person I spoke to and was very positive and upbeat. I met Danny who went over the diet portion, Paleo and Zone of Crossfit. This is where I again got a little nervous. I have never been on a diet. Danny made changes to my eating habits that were reasonable for me and let me know that if I stuck to it, I would see a change and I have. I started with a 38 inch waist and now I’m a 34. But I am not done. I want to be in 32. At this rate, 30 or 28 is a clearly possible! I really have to thank the trainers and owners that make up Crossfit. Raquel and Danny run a great gym and with the increased membership I have witnessed, I anticipate they’ll be around for a long time. Special kudos go out to Jason, Carlos and Danny as well as seasoned Crossfit members who consistently help out us newbie’s. In conclusion, I want to say, “Thank you, FireBase” for giving me the tools, knowledge, support and motivation to stay fit.
Scott D.
Winter Park, FL
Feb ‘10
July’10
OK Firebase family, I have survived my first year of Crossfit!!! When I started this journey last year I had no idea where it would lead me. I have lost 53 lbs, gone from a size 12 to a 2!!!!! Now that I have lost the weight my body is adding muscle & I am stronger than I have EVER been in my life. I am 39 & I look and feel better now than I did 15 years ago!!!!!! Last year if someone would have called me a beast I would have burst into tears, now I take it as a compliment!!!!! Thank you to Danny, Raquel, Jason & Carlos I would have never gotten this far without you! Your knowledge of excercise & nutrition is exceptional.Your encouragement always helps to push me through the wods. To all of my Firebase family, thank you so much for all of your encouragement & support. I am so glad that I found the Firebase & have you all in my life. To anyone considering joining or if you are just starting out. START NOW! Jump in with both feet, take little steps & you will be amazed at how quickly your body will start changing. DO NOT GIVE UP, If I have learned anything this year it is that you CAN do anything if you put your mind to it & work hard.
May ‘09
April ‘10
Diane R. a/k/a “Diva D”
Winter Springs, FL
When I first started Crossfit, I weighed about 290 lbs and was exercising sporadically. My idea of exercise prior to doing Crossfit was to do cardio on certain days and weight training on other days. This did not prepare me for the all-out intensity of Crossfit workouts. I had never worked out this intensely and was soon addicted to both the challenge of the workouts and the results I was getting: I was feeling better, losing fat, gaining muscle mass and strength, and found a large improvement in performance at sports (such as basketball) and other activities.
My weight is down to 220 lbs and still dropping, albeit slowly as I approach my goal of 210 lbs. When I was in my mid 20s (I’m now 38), I was about 195 lbs and worked out regularly, and I must say that even at the 220 lbs I am more fit in every aspect (except maybe recovery time, but of course that is a given!) than I was back then.
Danny, Raquel, Carlos, and Jason are all top notch trainers, and I have learned a lot about exercise from them. They also have been great at pushing me to perform better. The workouts are still as challenging as when I first started. I may be doing them faster or with heavier weights, but I still am just as beat down by the workout when done. That is the beauty of the way these workouts work. When you come in, you have no clue what is in store for the day until you look at what workout is on the board. Even to this day, I sometimes look at the board and get a little nervous anticipation about the level of intensity that the workout will require, but I am always able to push myself to make it through. The other important aspect of the Firebase, is that they have evolved the format and workouts and they are even better than when I started.
I probably should not have left this for the end, as it is as important to me as the other stuff, but the other thing that makes the Firebase so great is the sense of community between the clientele and the trainers. I really enjoy working out and enjoy camaraderie with them. They are a great group of people, and we all try to push each other to do our best and improve our fitness. So, thanks to the Firebase for giving me a great, friendly, safe environment to push myself to new limits and improve my fitness to levels I never expected.
-Greg S. a/k/a “Papa Bear”
Orlando, FL
October ‘08 March ‘10
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for helping me during my first couple of months of Crossfit. When Giselle was about to give birth to our little Natalia, I told her that as a gift I would get her whatever she wanted. Instead of jewelry, a vacation, or something to that effect, she asked me to look into getting involved in some kind of fitness routine. Lucky for us Greg (aka Chuey), had already started Crossfit and was hooked. When he told me about Crossfit, I must admit I was hesitant, but after some vigorous encouragement, I tried it.
Well, 5 months and 22 pounds later, I am glad to say I am well on my way to reaching my fitness goals. Giselle and I are convinced you have everything to do with who I am today. No matter how intimidated I might be by our workout of the day, I now know I can conquer it. Therein lies the beauty of Crossfit. You have all taught me to push myself beyond all expectations to reach new goals, all the while fostering an environment of encouragement and support. Although I was very much out of shape, you were sure to constantly point out that all journeys must start somewhere, and my journey was just beginning. For someone who hates working out and gyms, I constantly look forward to going to Firebase. My daily vocabulary now consists of words such as WOD, AMRAP and Burpees, and I have all of you to thank for it. At the end of the day, you have changed the way I look at myself, both physically and in every other sense of my life. I now know that no matter what the task, I CAN AND WILL CONQUER IT.
I have a ways to go before I reach my ultimate fitness goals, but I know I will get there. Words can not describe how much I love the Firebase, and your staff. I am convinced I will lead a fuller, healthy life thanks to the lessons I have learned while under your tutelage.
Humberto V.
Aka “New Guy”
April ‘09 Sept ‘09
I’ve always been pretty active. I used to hit the gym five days a week, doing the standard 3 sets of ten workout that I’ve been doing since high school. I would also do triathlons and 5Ks and felt pretty impressed with myself. All these things made me believe that I was actually in shape. Then one day last year I stopped by Crossfit Firebase and everything changed. I met Danny who told me my first workout was something called Fran. It didn’t look too tough on paper. Yet it was one of the most brutal workouts ever, and it lasted less than 10 minutes. Suddenly I realized that I was a long way from being in shape. Fortunately, the crew at Firebase is so positive I fought through the early rough patches and became addicted. Now after doing it a year it has changed my whole outlook. I actually pay attention to what I eat and will avoid knocking back the extra brews at Friday happy hour so I’m not destroyed at the Saturday morning WOD. I’ve shed some extra weight (still working on it) and kicked up my strength. You hear it said a lot in commercials, but I can honestly say that now at 42 I’m in the best shape of my life. It’s nice to be able to hang in there during a workout with somebody half your age! The workouts are always challenging, but the best part of Crossfit Firebase is the sense of community and attitude of the owners, trainers and members. It’s great to be cheered on when you are about to die and find that energy to keep going. This is what separates workouts done by yourself and coming out with a group like Firebase. I look forward to getting to the gym and feel like I’ve achieved something when I’m done. Special thanks to Danny and Raquel for creating such a positive and family friendly environment. I recommend Crossfit Firebase to anybody who seriously wants to get fit. Nothing else is even close…
John D.
Orlando, FL
Drew and I (Mr. & Mrs. H) have always been an active couple – we enjoy all kinds of outdoor sports (scuba diving, whitewater rafting, hiking, skiing, you name it) and have always made fitness a priority in our lives. For years, we would go to our local health club (wherever we were living, and we’ve bounced around all over the country!) and had the typical cardio and weight lifting days. Going to the gym 5-6 days a week, we considered ourselves in good physical shape. Then one day last November, one of my friends got to talking to me about a new workout thing he was doing called CrossFit. He told me that he was hooked, and that he thought he was in shape until he went to CrossFit and it kicked his butt. He told me that most of the time after the workouts he thought he was going to die and would be lying on the floor in a pool of his own sweat. When I heard that, I knew I had to try it. So the next morning, I joined my friend and had my first CrossFit workout. He was right. The whole time I thought I was going to die and at the end, I was on the floor, face as red as a beet, lying in a pool of my own sweat. I was sore for days, could barely walk, but I couldn’t wait for my next workout. I love a good challenge. I was hooked. Drew stuck to his usual training, and I continued with CrossFit. I would tell him how hard the workouts were, and how sore I always was. I told him that I’ve never pushed myself as hard as I do in class. I would tell him what the workouts consisted of (push ups, burpees, pullups, box jumps, etc.) and to him it didn’t sound so hard. Then one day in April I finally got him to go to a class with me. His first class at Firebase consisted of box jumps, lunges, situps and squats. After we were done, I thought, “uh oh.” He looked sick. He told me he thought he was going to throw up. To be honest, I wasn’t sure he was ever going to go back. Now here we are, almost 5 months later, and we love going to CrossFit together. We’re both hooked and feel that CrossFit will always be a part of our lives. I am so happy that we share this experience- it is so much fun to workout together, see each other improve and push one another. It’s great to be challenged and watch one another confront those challenges and conquer them. We’re both seeing a lot of improvements- pull ups have always been a weakness for me. Now I can finally do 5 kipping pull ups in a row! I’m working toward being able to do Fran with full pull ups. Olympic weightlifting is something that both Drew and I really enjoy as well. It feels good to do things you never thought you could. It feels good to be able to share that with someone you love. Drew and I love Firebase. We love all the members, how supportive everyone is, and how hard everyone works. We love our trainers: Danny, Raquel, Jason, Carlos, and Greg- thank you for pushing us, being supportive, and for the positive reinforcement. You have made a difference in our lives. I only hope that others will discover the benefits of CrossFit, and join the family at Firebase.
Alex H. a/k/a “Mrs. H”
Orlando, FL
I just wanted to take the time to thank you all though. I have always been an athlete and thought my idea of ‘in-shape’ was an accurate one. From college soccer to triathlons never did I think I would be able to find something that has challenged me and provided me with a feeling of such fulfillment until now. I owe that feeling to my Crossfit FireBase family. You all have pushed me in ways that I had forgotten within, thank you for wakening that part of me up again. I truly love my Crossfit family and can’t imagine my life without you all. Congratulations again on a very successful first year and I am looking forward to celebrating many more with you all in the future.
Samantha M. a/k/a “Samazon”
Orlando, FL
Raquel, when I bumped into you on 4/28/09 I didn’t realize how much my life was about to change! I started foundations on May 4 & became addicted to crossfit (although I could live without burpees)!!!!! After only 1 month I have lost 21 lbs! I went from a size 10/12 to a 6!!!!!! I lost 1 1/2 inches off of each arm & my waist went from 40″ to 34″ IN 1 MONTH!!!!!! But its not just the physical changes, my confidence has been raised to a whole new level. I am doing things I never thought were possible & I owe it all to you! The firebase is so different than any other gym experience. You both genuinely care about your members. The trainers are exceptional. Everyone takes the time to make sure that the moves are done correctly to be safe. The fellow members are also amazing. It really is motivational to have someone cheer you on when you are on your 100th burpee & about to die!! Thank you for an amazing month! I look forward to many more. Crossfit has become a way of life for me & I will always be grateful. Thank you!
Diane R.
Winter Springs, FL
A Wife’s Testimonial
I saw excitement in my husband’s eyes when he first told me about Crossfit Firebase Orlando. He had been searching for a new workout regimen that would be challenging and allow him to move to a new level of fitness. He participated in the very first “Fight Gone Bad” and was hooked for life! I saw a change in his eyes that seemed familiar; however, I could not place it at the time. He faithfully continued to work out at CFBO three times a week, month after month, without fail. He has never missed a day and looks forward to his weekly workouts. After months of listening to his passionate stories about his workouts, I realized that he was in a love affair with CFBO….an affair like I hadn’t seen since we first met! At that moment, I decided to look on the bright side…I get to sleep in while he works out on Saturday mornings (even on Valentine’s Day!), I don’t have to worry about who he is with, and best of all, I get a sexy husband with a rock hard body! I think I am in love with CFBO too!!
Sara W.
Orlando, FL
I have always tried to keep myself in shape by one form of exercise or another. But over the years because of my age, poor workout routines, a lousy diet and a bad thyroid, I found myself over weight and unhealthy. Then in June of 2008, I ran into an old friend named Danny who looked lean, fit and was the picture of health. I had to take a second look to make sure it was him. Let me say now that I have always considered Danny to be in good shape. But this time there was something different about the way he looked.
As we talked, Danny explained to me that he owns a gym called Crossfit Fire Base. He went on to explain to me how He got himself fit and healthy by good diet and exercise. The goal was not to get bigger, stronger or faster. It was simply to get healthy. Everything else would then be a side affect. I must admit that I have tried every diet and exercise plan out there. I never got the results I was looking for. The things that Danny had explained to me were also nothing new. I had heard them before however it was the way he explained things to me that made everything fall into place. Danny told me to read a book called Entering the Zone by Barry Sears. I hate to read anything that tells me how fat and out of shape I am but I did and that was the start of something good.
Then came the day I made the decision to join Crossfit FireBase. It was a time that I was both excited about and dreading at the same time. I had gone to the gym prior to joining and saw men and women a lot younger and in a lot better shape then me. I started thinking about me fitting in and at age 52 how I could keep up or be accepted by the others. As I completed the three mandatory foundations classes where they explain all the different exercises, movement techniques and diet information I thought to myself so far so good. But now I had to take what they taught me and put it into practice. Then the first day of the workout started. Halfway through the workout all my fears were put to rest. Throughout the routine the instructors were very helpful and everyone was very supportive. There was no competing against each other, just against yourself. The workout was both fun and rewarding. There are a lot of times that I still feel out of shape but I know I am on the right track. I did not get out of shape over night and I won’t get into shape over night. But thanks to Crossfit Fire Base, Danny and Raquel, I am on my way.
Steve B.
Orlando, FL
In the few months since I began training at Crossfit Firebase, Danny and Raquel have taught me more about exercise and fitness than I have learned from recertifications, clinics, and seminars in the last ten years since I first became a certified personal trainer. Like many Firebase clients I had spent quite a few years grinding out the traditional lifting regimes at a local commercial oriented gym where the focus was solely on selling memberships. I desperately wanted to try something new, but I wasn’t aware of any other option.
Crossfit Firebase is unlike any other place I have trained. Not only are Danny and Raquel great trainers, the gym’s environment, and everyone who trains there pushes you to perform at your personal best. I have never seen anyone at any other gym achieve the results in such a short period of time that any given Firebase Crossfitter achieves. It’s great to be a beginner all over again and I couldn’t be happier to be back in the learner’s seat.
Whether you’re new to fitness or have been working out for years, if you want to learn and perform at your best – Crossfit Firebase is the best option for taking yourself to the next level. Not only do Firebase Crossfitters get results – thanks to Danny and Raquel they get the BEST results!
Andrew H.
Orlando, FL
Dec ‘08
on February 22nd, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Here’s my testimonial… While many people use Crossfit to loose weight with great success, I have primarily had the goal to gain: size, strength, power, speed, stamina. I’ve gone from 175lbs to 201 in 6 months. Crossfit clothes exchange anyone?